Ladder-type surface acoustic wave device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a ladder-type surface acoustic wave (SAW) device, which includes a piezoelectric layer, two reflective structures, at least one series interdigital transducer (IDT) coupled between a first signal point and a second signal point, and at least one shunt IDT. The at least one shunt IDT is coupled at least between the first signal point and ground, or between the second signal point and ground. Herein, the two reflective structures, the at least one series IDT, and the at least one shunt IDT reside over the piezoelectric layer. The at least one series IDT and the at least one shunt IDT are arranged between the two reflective structures.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/225,947, filed on Dec. 19, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,070,194, whichclaims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No.62/719,284, filed Aug. 17, 2018, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device,and particularly to a ladder-type SAW device with both series and shuntinterdigital transducers (IDTs).

BACKGROUND

Acoustic wave devices are widely used in modern electronics. At a highlevel, acoustic wave devices include a piezoelectric material in contactwith one or more electrodes. Piezoelectric materials acquire a chargewhen compressed, twisted, or distorted, and similarly compress, twist,or distort when a charge is applied to them. Accordingly, when analternating electrical signal is applied to the one or more electrodesin contact with the piezoelectric material, a corresponding mechanicalsignal (i.e., an oscillation or vibration) is transduced therein. Basedon the characteristics of the one or more electrodes on thepiezoelectric material, the properties of the piezoelectric material,and other factors such as the shape of the acoustic wave device andother structures provided on the device, the mechanical signaltransduced in the piezoelectric material exhibits a frequency dependenceon the alternating electrical signal. Acoustic wave devices leveragethis frequency dependence to provide one or more functions.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices, such as SAW resonators and SAWfilters, are used in many applications such as radio frequency (RF)filters. For example, the SAW filters are commonly used in secondgeneration (2G), third generation (3G), and fourth generation (4G)wireless receiver front ends, duplexers, and receive filters. Thewidespread use of the SAW filters is due, at least in part, to the factsthat the SAW filters exhibit low insertion loss with good rejection, canachieve broad bandwidths, and are a small fraction of the size oftraditional cavity and ceramic filters. As the use of the SAW filters inmodern RF communication systems and mobile devices increases, there is aneed for SAW filters with sharp transitions between desired passbandfrequencies and frequencies that are outside of desired passbands. Inaddition, there is also a need for SAW filters with reduced size.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a ladder-type surface acoustic wave(SAW) device with both series and shunt interdigital transducers (IDTs).The disclosed SAW device includes a piezoelectric layer, two reflectivestructures, at least one series IDT, and at least one shunt IDT. The atleast one series IDT is coupled between a first signal point and asecond signal point, and the at least one shunt IDT is coupled at leastbetween the first signal point and ground, or between the second signalpoint and ground. Herein, the two reflective structures, the at leastone series IDT, and the at least one shunt IDT reside over thepiezoelectric layer. The at least one series IDT and the at least oneshunt IDT are arranged between the two reflective structures.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one shunt IDT iscoupled between the first signal point and ground.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one shunt IDT iscoupled between the second signal point and ground.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one shunt IDT includesa first shunt IDT and a second shunt IDT. Herein, the at least oneseries IDT is arranged between the first shunt IDT and the second shuntIDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one series IDTincludes a first series IDT and a second series IDT. Herein, the atleast one shunt IDT is arranged between the first series IDT and thesecond series IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one shunt IDT includesa first shunt IDT and a second shunt IDT. Herein, the first shunt IDT iscoupled between the first signal point and ground, and the second shuntIDT is coupled between the second signal point and ground.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one series IDTincludes a first series IDT and a second series IDT. Herein, both thefirst shunt IDT and the second shunt IDT are arranged between the firstseries IDT and the second series IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the first shunt IDT and the secondshunt IDT are arranged at one side of the at least one series IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one series IDT isarranged between the first shunt IDT and the second shunt IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one series IDTincludes a number of series IDTs, and the at least one shunt IDTincludes a number of shunt IDTs. Herein the series IDTs and the shuntIDTs are arranged alternately between the two reflective structures.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one series IDTincludes a number of series IDTs, and the at least one shunt IDTincludes a number of shunt IDTs. Herein, a number of the series IDTs isdifferent from a number of the shunt IDTs.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one series IDTincludes a number of series IDTs, and the at least one shunt IDTincludes a number of shunt IDTs. Herein, a number of the series IDTs isthe same as a number of the shunt IDTs.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one series IDTincludes a number of first electrode fingers coupled to the first signalpoint and a number of second electrode fingers coupled to the secondsignal point. The at least one shunt IDT includes a number of firstelectrode fingers coupled to the first signal point or the second signalpoint, and a number of second electrode fingers to ground.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, a number of the first electrodefingers of the at least one series IDT is the same as a number of thesecond electrode fingers of the at least one series IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, a number of the first electrodefingers of the at least one series IDT is different from a number of thesecond electrode fingers of the at least one series IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, a number of the first electrodefingers of the at least one shunt IDT is the same as a number of thesecond electrode fingers of the at least one shunt IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, a number of the first electrodefingers of the at least one shunt IDT is different from a number of thesecond electrode fingers of the at least one shunt IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one series IDTincludes a first series IDT and a second series IDT. Herein, the firstseries IDT includes a number of electrode fingers and the second seriesIDT includes a number of electrode fingers. Herein, a number of theelectrode fingers of the first series IDT is the same as a number of theelectrode fingers of the second series IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the at least one series IDTincludes a first series IDT and a second series IDT. Herein, the firstseries IDT includes a number of electrode fingers and the second seriesIDT includes a number of electrode fingers. Herein, a number of theelectrode fingers of the first series IDT is different from a number ofthe electrode fingers of the second series IDT.

According to another embodiment, a SAW device includes a piezoelectriclayer, two reflective structures, a first shunt IDT, and a series IDT.The first shunt IDT is coupled between a first signal point and ground,and the series IDT is coupled between a second signal point and a thirdsignal point. Herein, the two reflective structures, the first shuntIDT, and the series IDT reside over the piezoelectric layer. The firstshunt IDT and the series IDT are arranged between the two reflectivestructures.

According to another embodiment, the SAW device further includes asecond shunt IDT residing over the piezoelectric layer and arrangedbetween the two reflective structures. Herein, the second shunt IDT iscoupled between the second signal point and ground.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the series IDT is arranged betweenthe first shunt IDT and the second shunt IDT.

In one embodiment of the SAW device, the first shunt IDT and the secondshunt IDT are arranged at one side of the series IDT.

According to another embodiment, SAW circuitry includes a first SAWdevice and a second SAW device. The first SAW device includes two firstreflective structures, at least one first series IDT, and at least onefirst shunt IDT. The second SAW device includes two second reflectivestructures, at least one second series IDT, and at least one secondshunt IDT. Herein, the first SAW device and the second SAW device areconnected at a common point and coupled in series between a first signalpoint and a second signal point. The first SAW device and the second SAWdevice share a common piezoelectric layer. The first reflectivestructures, the at least one first series IDT, the at least one firstshunt IDT, the second reflective structures, the at least one secondseries IDT, and the at least one second shunt IDT reside over thepiezoelectric layer. The at least one first series IDT and the at leastone first shunt IDT are arranged between the two first reflectivestructures, and the at least one second series IDT and the at least onesecond shunt IDT are arranged between the two second reflectivestructures. In addition, the at least one first series IDT is coupledbetween the first signal point and the common point, and the at leastone second series IDT is coupled between the common point and the secondsignal point. The at least one first shunt IDT is coupled between thefirst signal point and ground, or between the common point and ground.The at least one second shunt IDT is coupled between the second signalpoint and ground, or between the common point and ground.

According to another embodiment, the SAW circuitry further includes atleast one coupled resonator filter (CRF), which includes two thirdreflective structures, and a number of CRF IDTs. Herein, the first SAWdevice, the second SAW device, and the at least one CRF share the commonpiezoelectric layer. The CRF IDTs are arranged between the two thirdreflective structures. At least one of the CRF IDTs is coupled betweenthe first signal point and ground, and at least one of the CRF IDTs iscoupled between the first SAW device and ground.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the presentdisclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inassociation with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part ofthis specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view illustration of a representativesurface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a receiver (RX) filter that includes multiple SAWresonators.

FIG. 3 shows an RX filter that includes a ladder-type SAW device withboth series and shunt interdigital transducers (IDTs).

FIGS. 4A-4F show alternative ladder-type SAW devices with both seriesand shunt IDTs.

FIGS. 5A-5D show multiple ladder-type SAW devices included in the RXfilter.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative RX filter that includes athree-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative RX filter that includes athree-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device.

FIGS. 8A-8B show alternative three-signal-terminal ladder-type SAWdevices.

It will be understood that for clear illustrations, FIGS. 1-8B may notbe drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments andillustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawing figures,those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosureand will recognize applications of these concepts not particularlyaddressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts andapplications fall within the scope of the disclosure and theaccompanying claims.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, orsubstrate is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” anotherelement, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other elementor intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directlyonto” another element, there are no intervening elements present.Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer,region, or substrate is referred to as being “over” or extending “over”another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over theother element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly over” or extending“directly over” another element, there are no intervening elementspresent. It will also be understood that when an element is referred toas being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present.

Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or“horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationshipof one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region asillustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms andthose discussed above are intended to encompass different orientationsof the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It willbe further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted ashaving a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context ofthis specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted inan idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The present disclosure relates to a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device,and particularly to a ladder-type SAW device with both series and shuntinterdigital transducers (IDTs). Disclosed SAW devices are describedherein that provide sharp transitions between passband frequencies andfrequencies that are outside of desired passbands. Before describingparticular embodiments of the present disclosure further, a generaldiscussion of SAW devices is provided. FIG. 1 provides a perspectiveview illustration of a representative SAW resonator 10. The SAWresonator 10 includes a substrate 12, a piezoelectric layer 14 on thesubstrate 12, an IDT 16 on a surface of the piezoelectric layer 14opposite the substrate 12, and two reflective structures 18A and 18B onthe surface of the piezoelectric layer 14 placed at opposite sides ofthe IDT 16.

The IDT 16 includes a first electrode 20 and a second electrode 22, eachof which may include one or more electrode fingers 24 that areinterleaved with one another as shown. The first electrode 20 and thesecond electrode 22 may also be referred to as comb electrodes. For thepurpose of this illustration, the first electrode 20 of the IDT 16includes three electrode fingers 24, and the second electrode 22 of theIDT 16 includes four electrode fingers 24. In different applications,the first/second electrode 20/22 may have fewer or more electrodefingers. A number of the electrode fingers 24 within the first electrode20 and a number of the electrode fingers 24 within the second electrode22 may be different or the same (not shown). A lateral distance betweenadjacent electrode fingers 24 of the first electrode 20 and the secondelectrode 22 defines an electrode pitch P of the IDT 16. The electrodepitch P may at least partially define a center frequency wavelength A ofthe SAW resonator 10, where the center frequency is the primaryfrequency of mechanical waves generated in the piezoelectric layer 14 bythe IDT 16. A finger width W of the adjacent electrode fingers 24 overthe electrode pitch P may define a metallization ratio, or duty factor,of the IDT 16, which may dictate certain operating characteristics ofthe SAW resonator 10.

In operation, an alternating electrical input signal provided at thefirst electrode 20 is transduced into a mechanical signal in thepiezoelectric layer 14, resulting in one or more acoustic waves therein.In the case of the SAW resonator 10, the resulting acoustic waves arepredominately surface acoustic waves. As discussed above, due to theelectrode pitch P and the metallization ratio of the IDT 16, thecharacteristics of the material of the piezoelectric layer 14, and otherfactors, the magnitude and frequency of the acoustic waves transduced inthe piezoelectric layer 14 are dependent on the frequency of thealternating electrical input signal. This frequency dependence is oftendescribed in terms of changes in the impedance and/or a phase shiftbetween the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 22 with respectto the frequency of the alternating electrical input signal. Analternating electrical potential between the two electrodes 20 and 22creates an electrical field in the piezoelectric material which generateacoustic waves. The acoustic waves travel at the surface and eventuallyare transferred back into an electrical signal between the electrodes 20and 22. The two reflective structures 18A and 18B reflect the acousticwaves in the piezoelectric layer 14 back towards the IDT 16 to confinethe acoustic waves in the area surrounding the IDT 16. Each reflectivestructure 18A or 18B may include one or more reflective fingers 26 (onlytwo reflective fingers are labeled with a reference number for clarity).A number of the reflective fingers 26 within the reflective structure18A and a number of the reflective fingers 26 within the reflectivestructure 18B may be different (not shown) or the same.

The substrate 12 may be formed of various materials including glass,sapphire, quartz, silicon (Si), or gallium arsenide (GaAs) among others,with Si being a common choice. The piezoelectric layer 14 may be formedof any suitable piezoelectric material(s), such as lithium tantalate(LT), or lithium niobate (LiNbO₃), but is not limited thereto. Incertain embodiments, the piezoelectric layer 14 is thick enough or rigidenough to function as a piezoelectric substrate. Accordingly, thesubstrate 12 in FIG. 1 may be omitted. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the principles of the present disclosure may apply toother materials for the substrate 12 and the piezoelectric layer 14. TheIDT 16, the two reflective structures 18A and 18B may include aluminum(Al). While not shown to avoid obscuring the drawings, additionalpassivation layers, frequency trimming layers, or any other layers maybe provided over all or a portion of the exposed surface of thepiezoelectric layer 14, the IDT 16, and the two reflective structures18A and 18B. Further, one or more layers may be provided between thesubstrate 12 and the piezoelectric layer 14 in some embodiments.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a receiver (RX) filter 28 that includes multipleSAW resonators 10. The RX filter includes an antenna (ANT) point, anintermediate (INT) point, an RX point, a first shunt SAW resonator 10-1,a second shunt SAW resonator 10-2, a third shunt SAW resonator 10-3, aseries SAW resonator 10-4, and a SAW coupled resonator filter (CRF) 30.Herein, the first shunt SAW resonator 10-1, the second shunt SAWresonator 10-2, the third shunt SAW resonator 10-3, the series SAWresonator 10-4, and the SAW CRF 30 share a common piezoelectric layer(not shown). In addition, each of the first shunt SAW resonator 10-1,the second shunt SAW resonator 10-2, the third shunt SAW resonator 10-3,and the series SAW resonator 10-4 may have a same configuration as theSAW resonator 10 shown in FIG. 1 , and includes a corresponding IDT(16-1/16-2/16-3/16-4) with corresponding electrodes (20-1 and 22-1/20-2and 22-2/20-3 and 22-3/20-4 and 22-4) and corresponding reflectivestructures (18A-1 and 18B-1/18A-2 and 18B-2/18A-3 and 18B-3/18A-4 and18B-4).

The first shunt SAW resonator 10-1 and the second shunt SAW resonator10-2 are parallel to each other and both coupled between the ANT pointand ground. The third shunt SAW resonator 10-3 is coupled between the RXpoint and ground. The series SAW resonator 10-4 is coupled between theANT point and the INT point. The SAW CRF 30 is coupled between the INTpoint and the RX point, and also coupled to ground. The first shunt SAWresonator 10-1 and the second shunt SAW resonator 10-2 refer to splitshunt resonators, which will accommodate higher power than and willprovide better linearity than a single shunt SAW resonator (10-1 or10-2) coupled between the ANT point and ground. However, both the firstshunt SAW resonator 10-1 and the second shunt SAW resonator 10-2 includereflective structures (18A-1 and 18B-1/18A-2 and 18B-2/), which willoccupy a relatively large area. In some applications, the RX filter 28may include two or more series SAW resonators coupled in series betweenthe ANT point and the INT point without a shunt SAW resonator in between(not shown). These two or more series SAW resonators refer to splitseries resonators, which may also accommodate higher power than and mayprovide better linearity than a single series SAW resonator 10-4 coupledbetween the ANT point and the INT point. However, more split seriesresonators require more areas.

To reduce the die size and maintain the power and linearityperformances, a ladder-type SAW device 32 with both series and shuntIDTs is proposed to replace the first shunt SAW resonator 10-1, thesecond shunt SAW resonator 10-2, and the series SAW resonator 10-4(within the dashed box shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) in the RX filter 28, asillustrated in FIG. 3 . The ladder-type SAW device 32 includes tworeflective structures 34A and 34B, two first shunt IDTs 36A and 36B, anda first series IDT 38, all of which reside on a common piezoelectriclayer (not shown). Herein, each first shunt IDT 36A/36B is coupledbetween the ANT point and ground. The first series IDT 38 is coupledbetween the ANT point and the INT point. In one embodiment, the twofirst shunt IDTs 36A and 36B are identical and placed symmetrically atopposite sides of the first series IDT 38. The first shunt IDTs 36A and36B, and the first series IDT 38 are arranged between the two reflectivestructures 34A and 34B.

For the purpose of this illustration, each reflective structure 34A/34Bincludes five reflective fingers. Each first shunt IDT 36A/36B includesa first electrode 40 that is coupled to the ANT point and has twoelectrode fingers, and a second electrode 42 that is coupled to groundand has two electrode fingers. The first series IDT 38 includes a firstelectrode 44 that is coupled to the ANT point and has three electrodefingers, and a second electrode 46 that is coupled to the INT point andhas four electrode fingers. In different applications, each reflectivestructure 34A or 34B may have fewer or more reflective fingers. Thefirst and second electrodes 40 and 42 of each first shunt IDT 36A or 36Bmay have fewer or more electrode fingers. The first and secondelectrodes 44 and 46 of the first series IDT 38 may have fewer or moreelectrode fingers.

The ladder-type SAW device 32 shown in FIG. 3 operates a same functionas the resonator combination of the first shunt SAW resonator 10-1, thesecond shunt SAW resonator 10-2, and the series SAW resonator 10-4 shownin the dashed box of FIG. 2B. However, since the ladder-type SAW device32 only includes one pair of reflective structures 34A and 34B insteadof three pairs in the resonator combination, the ladder-type SAW device32 has a much smaller size than the resonator combination. In addition,the first shunt IDTs 36A and 36B of the ladder-type SAW device 32 havefewer electrode fingers than the first shunt SAW resonator 10-1 and thesecond shunt SAW resonator 10-2. As such, the ladder-type SAW device 32may shrink in size further and have better passband edge insertion lossperformance. For the ladder-type SAW device 32, the first shunt IDTs 36Aand 36B, and the first series IDT 38 are placed in a same acousticcavity and use the acoustic coupling in between. As such, even withfewer electrode fingers in the first shunt IDTs 36A and 36B than thefirst shunt SAW resonator 10-1 and the second shunt SAW resonator 10-2,the ladder-type SAW device 32 may still obtain superior steepness of thepassband.

FIGS. 4A-4F show alternative ladder-type SAW devices, each of which mayreplace the ladder-type SAW device 32 in the RX filter 28. A firstalternative ladder-type SAW device 32A1 includes the reflectivestructures 34A and 34B, three first shunt IDTs 36A, 36B, and 36C, andtwo first series IDTs 38A and 38B, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Herein,each first shunt IDT 36A/36B/36C is coupled between the ANT point andground. Each first series IDT 38A/38B is coupled between the ANT pointand the INT point. In one embodiment, the three first shunt IDTs 36A,36B, and 36C are identical, and the two first series IDTs 38A and 38Bare identical. The three first shunt IDTs 36A, 36B, and 36C and the twofirst series IDTs 38A and 38B are arranged alternately between the tworeflective structures 34A and 34B. For the purpose of this illustration,the first electrode 40 of each first shunt IDT 36A/36B/36C is coupled tothe ANT point and includes one electrode finger, and the secondelectrode 42 of each first shunt IDT 36A/36B/36C is coupled to groundand includes one electrode finger. The first electrode 44 of each firstseries IDT 38A/38B is coupled to the ANT point and includes twoelectrode fingers, and the second electrode 46 of each first series IDT38A/38B is coupled to the INT point and includes two electrode fingers.In different applications, the first and second electrodes 40 and 42 ofeach first shunt IDT 36A/36B/36C may have more electrode fingers. Thefirst and second electrodes 44 and 46 of each first series IDT 38A/38Bmay have fewer or more electrode fingers.

A second alternative ladder-type SAW device 32A2 includes the reflectivestructures 34A and 34B, one first shunt IDT 36, and the two first seriesIDTs 38A and 38B, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Herein, the first shunt IDT36 is coupled between the ANT point and ground. Each first series IDT38A/38B is coupled between the ANT point and the INT point. In oneembodiment, the two first series IDTs 38A and 38B are identical andplaced symmetrically at opposite sides of the first shunt IDT 36. Thefirst shunt IDT 36 and the first series IDTs 38A and 38B are arrangedbetween the two reflective structures 34A and 34B. For the purpose ofthis illustration, the first electrode 40 of the first shunt IDT 36 iscoupled to the ANT point and includes one electrode finger, and thesecond electrode 42 of the first shunt IDT 36 is coupled to ground andincludes one electrode finger. The first electrode 44 of each firstseries IDT 38A/38B is coupled to the ANT point and includes twoelectrode fingers, and the second electrode 46 of each first series IDT38A/38B is coupled to the INT point and includes two electrode fingers.In different applications, the first and second electrodes 40 and 42 ofthe first shunt IDT 36 may have more electrode fingers. The first andsecond electrodes 44 and 46 of each first series IDT 38A/38B may havefewer or more electrode fingers.

A third alternative ladder-type SAW device 32A3 includes the reflectivestructures 34A and 34B, one first shunt IDT 36, and one first series IDT38, as illustrated in FIG. 4C. Herein, the first shunt IDT 36 is coupledbetween the ANT point and ground, and the first series IDT 38 is coupledbetween the ANT point and the INT point. The first shunt IDT 36 and thefirst series IDT 38 are arranged between the two reflective structures34A and 34B. For the purpose of this illustration, the first electrode40 of the first shunt IDT 36 is coupled to the ANT point and includestwo electrode fingers, and the second electrode 42 of the first shuntIDT 36 is coupled to ground and includes two electrode fingers. Thefirst electrode 44 of the first series IDT 38 is coupled to the ANTpoint and includes three electrode fingers, and the second electrode 46of the first series IDT 38 is coupled to the INT point and includes fourelectrode fingers. In different applications, the first and secondelectrodes 40 and 42 of the first shunt IDT 36 may have fewer or moreelectrode fingers. The first and second electrodes 44 and 46 of thefirst series IDT 38 may have fewer or more electrode fingers.

A fourth alternative ladder-type SAW device 32A4 includes the reflectivestructures 34A and 34B, one first shunt IDT 36, two first series IDT 38Aand 38B, and one second shunt IDT 48, as illustrated in FIG. 4D. Herein,the first shunt IDT 36 is coupled between the ANT point and ground. Eachfirst series IDT 38A/38B is coupled between the ANT point and the INTpoint. The second shunt IDT 48 is coupled between ground and the INTpoint. In one embodiment, the first shunt IDT 36 and the second shuntIDT 48 are arranged between the two first series IDTs 38A and 38B. Thefirst shunt IDT 36, the second shunt IDT 48, and the first series IDTs38A and 38B are arranged between the two reflective structures 34A and34B. For the purpose of this illustration, the first electrode 40 of thefirst shunt IDT 36 is coupled to the ANT point and includes twoelectrode fingers, and the second electrode 42 of the first shunt IDT 36is coupled to ground and includes two electrode fingers. The firstelectrode 44 of each first series IDT 38A/38B is coupled to the ANTpoint and includes three electrode fingers, and the second electrode 46of each first series IDT 38A/38B is coupled to the INT point andincludes three electrode fingers. A first electrode 50 of the secondshunt IDT 48 is coupled to the INT point and includes two electrodefingers, and a second electrode 52 of the second shunt IDT 48 is coupledto ground and includes two electrode fingers. In different applications,the first and second electrodes 40 and 42 of the first shunt IDT 36 mayhave fewer or more electrode fingers. The first and second electrodes 44and 46 of each first series IDT 38A/38B may have fewer or more electrodefingers. The first and second electrodes 50 and 52 of the second shuntIDT 48 may have fewer or more electrode fingers.

A fifth alternative ladder-type SAW device 32A5 includes the reflectivestructures 34A and 34B, one first shunt IDT 36, one first series IDT 38,and one second shunt IDT 48, as illustrated in FIG. 4E. Herein, thefirst shunt IDT 36 is coupled between the ANT point and ground. Thefirst series IDT 38 is coupled between the ANT point and the INT point.The second shunt IDT 48 is coupled between ground and the INT point. Inone embodiment, the first shunt IDT 36 and the second shunt IDT 48 arearranged at a same side of the first series IDT 38. The first shunt IDT36, the second shunt IDT 48, and the first series IDT 38 are arrangedbetween the two reflective structures 34A and 34B. For the purpose ofthis illustration, the first electrode 40 of the first shunt IDT 36 iscoupled to the ANT point and includes two electrode fingers, and thesecond electrode 42 of the first shunt IDT 36 is coupled to ground andincludes two electrode fingers. The first electrode 44 of the firstseries IDT 38 is coupled to the ANT point and includes nine electrodefingers, and the second electrode 46 of the first series IDT 38 iscoupled to the INT point and includes nine electrode fingers. The firstelectrode 50 of the second shunt IDT 48 is coupled to the INT point andincludes two electrode fingers, and the second electrode 52 of thesecond shunt IDT 48 is coupled to ground and includes two electrodefingers. In different applications, the first and second electrodes 40and 42 of the first shunt IDT 36 may have fewer or more electrodefingers. The first and second electrodes 44 and 46 of the first seriesIDT 38 may have fewer or more electrode fingers. The first and secondelectrodes 50 and 52 of the second shunt IDT 48 may have fewer or moreelectrode fingers.

A sixth alternative ladder-type SAW device 32A6 includes the reflectivestructures 34A and 34B, one first shunt IDT 36, two first series IDTs38A and 38B, one second shunt IDT 48, and one second series IDT 54, asillustrated in FIG. 4F. Herein, the first shunt IDT 36 is coupledbetween the ANT point and ground, and the second shunt IDT 48 is coupledbetween ground and the INT point. Each series IDT 38A/38B/54 is coupledbetween the ANT point and the INT point. The second series IDT 54 isarranged between the first and second shunt IDTs 36 and 48. The firstshunt IDT 36, the second shunt IDT 48, and the second series IDT 54 arearranged between the two first series IDTs 38A and 38B. The first shuntIDT 36, the second shunt IDT 48, the first series IDTs 38A and 38B, andthe second series IDT 54 are arranged between the two reflectivestructures 34A and 34B.

For the purpose of this illustration, the first electrode 40 of thefirst shunt IDT 36 is coupled to the ANT point and includes twoelectrode fingers, and the second electrode 42 of the first shunt IDT 36is coupled to ground and includes two electrode fingers. The firstelectrode 44 of each first series IDT 38A/38B is coupled to the ANTpoint and includes two electrode fingers, and the second electrode 46 ofeach first series IDT 38A/38B is coupled to the INT point and includestwo electrode fingers. The first electrode 50 of the second shunt IDT 48is coupled to the INT point and includes two electrode fingers, and thesecond electrode 52 of the second shunt IDT 48 is coupled to ground andincludes two electrode fingers. A first electrode 56 of the secondseries IDT 54 is coupled to the ANT point and includes nine electrodefingers, and a second electrode 58 of the second series IDT 54 iscoupled to the INT point and includes nine electrode fingers. Noticethat the first electrode 44 of each first series IDT 38A/38B is placedin a reversed (upside-down) position to the first electrode 56 of thesecond series IDT 54, and the second electrode 46 of each first seriesIDT 38A/38B is placed in a reversed (upside-down) position to the secondelectrode 58 of the second series IDT 54. In different applications, thefirst and second electrodes 40 and 42 of the first shunt IDT 36 may havefewer or more electrode fingers. The first and second electrodes 44 and46 of each first series IDT 38A/38B may have fewer or more electrodefingers. The first and second electrodes 50 and 52 of the second shuntIDT 48 may have fewer or more electrode fingers. The first and secondelectrodes 56 and 58 of the second series IDT 54 may have fewer or moreelectrode fingers.

In some applications, there may be more than one ladder-type SAW deviceincluded in the RX filter and coupled between the ANT point and the INTpoint, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D. In FIG. 5A, there are a firstladder-type SAW device 32-1 and a second ladder-type SAW device 32-2coupled in series between the ANT point and the INT point. The firstladder-type SAW device 32-1 and the second ladder-type SAW device 32-2are connected at a connection (CON) point. The first ladder-type SAWdevice 32-1 includes two reflective structures 34A and 34B, two firstshunt IDTs 36A-1 and 36B-1, and one first series IDT 38-1. Herein, eachfirst shunt IDT 36A-1/36B-1 is coupled between the ANT point and ground.The first series IDT 38-1 is coupled between the ANT point and the CONpoint. In detail, a first electrode 40-1 of each first shunt IDT36A-1/36B-1 and a first electrode 44-1 of the first series IDT 38-1 arecoupled to the ANT point, a second electrode 42-1 of each first shuntIDT 36A-1/36B-1 is coupled to ground, and a second electrode 46-1 of thefirst series IDT 38-1 is coupled to the CON point. The secondladder-type SAW device 32-2 includes the two reflective structures 34Aand 34B, two first shunt IDTs 36A-2 and 36B-2, and one first series IDT38-2. Herein, each first shunt IDTs 36A-2 or 36B-2 is coupled betweenthe INT point and ground. The first series IDT 38-2 is coupled betweenthe CON point and the INT point. In detail, a first electrode 44-2 ofthe first series IDT 38-2 is coupled to the CON point, a first electrode40-2 of each first shunt IDT 36A-2/36B-2 and a second electrode 46-2 ofthe first series IDT 38-2 are coupled to the INT point, and a secondelectrode 42-2 of each first shunt IDT 36A-2/36B-2 is coupled to ground.

For the first ladder-type SAW device 32-1, the two first shunt IDTs36A-1 and 36B-1 are identical and placed symmetrically at opposite sidesof the first series IDT 38-1. For the second ladder-type SAW device32-2, the two first shunt IDTs 36A-2 and 36B-2 are identical and placedsymmetrically at opposite sides of the first series IDT 38-2.

In FIG. 5B, there are a first ladder-type SAW device 32-1′ and thesecond ladder-type SAW device 32-2 coupled in series between the ANTpoint and the INT point. The first ladder-type SAW device 32-1′ and thesecond ladder-type SAW device 32-2 are connected at the CON point. Thefirst ladder-type SAW device 32-1′ includes the two reflectivestructures 34A and 34B, two first shunt IDTs 36A-1′ and 36B-1′, and onefirst series IDT 38-1′. Herein, each first shunt IDT 36A-1′/36B-1′ iscoupled between the CON point and ground. The first series IDT 38-1′ iscoupled between the ANT point and the CON point. In detail, a firstelectrode 44-1′ of the first series IDT 38-1′ is coupled to the ANTpoint, a first electrode 40-1′ of each first shunt IDT 36A-1′/36B-1′ anda second electrode 46-1′ of the first series IDT 38-1′ are coupled tothe CON point, and a second electrode 42-1′ of each first shunt IDT36A-1′/36B-1′ is coupled to ground. The second ladder-type SAW device32-2 includes the two reflective structures 34A and 34B, two first shuntIDTs 36A-2 and 36B-2, and one first series IDT 38-2. Herein, each firstshunt IDTs 36A-2/36B-2 is coupled between the INT point and ground. Thefirst series IDT 38-2 is coupled between the CON point and the INTpoint. In detail, the first electrode 44-2 of the first series IDT 38-2is coupled to the CON point, the first electrode 40-2 of each firstshunt IDT 36A-2/36B-2 and the second electrode 46-2 of the first seriesIDT 38-2 are coupled to the INT point, and the second electrode 42-2 ofeach first shunt IDT 36A-2/36B-2 is coupled to ground.

For the first ladder-type SAW device 32-1′, the two first shunt IDTs36A-1′ and 36B-1′ are identical and placed symmetrically at oppositesides of the first series IDT 38-1′. For the second ladder-type SAWdevice 32-2, the two first shunt IDTs 36A-2 and 36B-2 are identical andplaced symmetrically at opposite sides of the first series IDT 38-2.

In FIG. 5C, there are the first ladder-type SAW device 32-1′ and asecond ladder-type SAW device 32-2′ coupled in series between the ANTpoint and the INT point. The first ladder-type SAW device 32-1′ and thesecond ladder-type SAW device 32-2′ are connected at the CON point. Thefirst ladder-type SAW device 32-1′ includes the two reflectivestructures 34A and 34B, two first shunt IDTs 36A-1′ and 36B-1′, and onefirst series IDT 38-1′. Herein, each first shunt IDT 36A-1′/36B-1′ iscoupled between the CON point and ground. The first series IDT 38-1′ iscoupled between the ANT point and the CON point. In detail, the firstelectrode 44-1′ of the first series IDT 38-1′ is coupled to the ANTpoint, the first electrode 40-1′ of each first shunt IDT 36A-1′/36B-1′and the second electrode 46-1′ of the first series IDT 38-1′ are coupledto the CON point, and the second electrode 42-1′ of each first shunt IDT36A-1′/36B-1′ is coupled to ground. The second ladder-type SAW device32-2′ includes the two reflective structures 34A and 34B, two firstshunt IDTs 36A-2′ and 36B-2′, and one first series IDT 38-2′. Herein,each first shunt IDT 36A-2′/36B-2′ is coupled between the CON point andground. The first series IDT 38-2′ is coupled between the CON point andthe INT point. In detail, a first electrode 40-2′ of each first shuntIDT 36A-2′ or 36B-2′ and a first electrode 44-2′ of the first series IDT38-2′ are coupled to the CON point, a second electrode 46-2′ of thefirst series IDT 38-2′ is coupled to the INT point, and a secondelectrode 42-2′ of each first shunt IDT 36A-2′/36B-2′ is coupled toground.

For the first ladder-type SAW device 32-1′, the two first shunt IDTs36A-1′ and 36B-1′ are identical and placed symmetrically at oppositesides of the first series IDT 38-1′. For the second ladder-type SAWdevice 32-2′, the two first shunt IDTs 36A-2′ and 36B-2′ are identicaland placed symmetrically at opposite sides of the first series IDT38-2′.

Besides the ladder-type SAW devices, there may be one or more SAW CRFcoupled in series between the ANT point and the INT point, as shown inFIG. 5D. For the purpose of this illustration, there are a first SAW CRF60-1, a third ladder-type SAW device 32-3, a fourth ladder-type SAWdevice 32-4, and a second SAW CRF 60-2 coupled in series between the ANTpoint and the INT point. In one embodiment, the first SAW CRF 60-1 iscoupled between the ANT point and the third ladder-type SAW device 32-3at a first connection (CON1) point, the third ladder-type SAW device32-3 is coupled between the first SAW CRF 60-1 and the fourthladder-type SAW device 32-4 at a second connection (CON2) point, and thesecond SAW CRF 60-2 is coupled between the INT point and the fourthladder-type SAW device 32-4 at a third connection (CON3) point.

The first SAW CRF 60-1 includes two reflective structures 62A and 62B,two first shunt IDTs 64A-1 and 64B-1, and a second shunt IDT 66-1. Thetwo first shunt IDTs 64A-1 and 64B-1 are identical and placedsymmetrically at opposite sides of the second shunt IDT 66-1. The firstshunt IDTs 64A-1 and 64B-1, and the second shunt IDT 66-1 are arrangedbetween the two reflective structures 62A and 62B. Each reflectivestructure 62A/62B includes four reflective fingers. Each first shunt IDT64A-1 or 64B-1 includes a first electrode 68-1 and a second electrode70-1. The first electrode 68-1 is coupled to the CON1 point and hasthree electrode fingers, and the second electrode 70-1 is coupled toground and has three electrode fingers. The second shunt IDT 66-1includes a first electrode 72-1 that is coupled to the ANT point and hasthree electrode fingers, and a second electrode 74-1 that is coupled toground and has three electrode fingers. In different applications, eachreflective structure 62A/62B may have fewer or more reflective fingers.The first and second electrodes 68-1 and 70-1 of each first shunt IDT64A-1 or 64B-1 may have fewer or more electrode fingers. The first andsecond electrodes 72-1 and 74-1 of the second shunt IDT 66-1 may havefewer or more electrode fingers.

The third ladder-type SAW device 32-3 includes two reflective structures34A and 34B, two first shunt IDTs 36A-3 and 36B-3, and one first seriesIDT 38-3. The two first shunt IDTs 36A-3 and 36B-3 are identical andplaced symmetrically at opposite sides of the first series IDT 38-3. Thefirst shunt IDTs 36A-3 and 36B-3, and the first series IDT 38-3 arearranged between the two reflective structures 34A and 34B. Eachreflective structure 34A and 34B includes five reflective fingers. Eachfirst shunt IDT 36A-3/36B-3 includes a first electrode 40-3 and a secondelectrode 42-3. The first electrode 40-3 is coupled to the CON1 pointand has two electrode fingers, and the second electrode 42-3 is coupledto ground and has two electrode fingers. The first series IDT 38-3includes a first electrode 44-3 that is coupled to the CON1 point andhas three electrode fingers, and a second electrode 46-3 that is coupledto the CON2 and has four electrode fingers. In different applications,the first and second electrodes 40-3 and 42-3 of each first shunt IDT36A-3/36B-3 may have fewer or more electrode fingers. The first andsecond electrodes 44-3 and 46-3 of the first series IDT 38-3 may havefewer or more electrode fingers.

The fourth ladder-type SAW device 32-4 includes the two reflectivestructures 34A and 34B, two first shunt IDTs 36A-4 and 36B-4, and onefirst series IDT 38-4. The two first shunt IDTs 36A-4 and 36B-4 areidentical and placed symmetrically at opposite sides of the first seriesIDT 38-4. The first shunt IDTs 36A-4 and 36B-4, and the first series IDT38-4 are arranged between the two reflective structures 34A and 34B.Each first shunt IDT 36A-4/36B-4 includes a first electrode 40-4 and asecond electrode 42-4. The first electrode 40-4 is coupled to the CON3point and has two electrode fingers, and the second electrode 42-4 iscoupled to ground and has two electrode fingers. The first series IDT38-4 includes a first electrode 44-4 that is coupled to the CON2 pointand has four electrode fingers, and a second electrode 46-4 that iscoupled to the CON3 and has three electrode fingers. In differentapplications, the first and second electrodes 40-4 and 42-4 of eachfirst shunt IDT 36A-4/36B-4 may have fewer or more electrode fingers.The first and second electrodes 44-4 and 46-4 of the first series IDT38-4 may have fewer or more electrode fingers.

The second SAW CRF 60-2 includes the two reflective structures 62A and62B, two first shunt IDTs 64A-2 and 64B-2, and one second shunt IDT66-2. The two first shunt IDTs 64A-2 and 64B-2 are identical and placedsymmetrically at opposite sides of the second shunt IDT 66-2. The firstshunt IDTs 64A-2 and 64B-2, and the second shunt IDT 66-2 are arrangedbetween the two reflective structures 62A and 62B. Each first shunt IDT64A-2/64B-2 includes a first electrode 68-2 and a second electrode 70-2.The first electrode 68-2 is coupled to the CON3 point and has threeelectrode fingers, and the second electrode 70-2 is coupled to groundand has three electrode fingers. The second shunt IDT 66-2 includes afirst electrode 72-2 that is coupled to the INT point and has threeelectrode fingers, and a second electrode 74-2 that is coupled to groundand has three electrode fingers. In different applications, the firstand second electrodes 68-2 and 70-2 of each first shunt IDT 64A-2 or64B-2 may have fewer or more electrode fingers. The first and secondelectrodes 72-2 and 74-2 of the second shunt IDT 66-1 may have fewer ormore electrode fingers.

FIG. 6 shows a first alternative RX filter 28A1 that includes athree-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device 76. Herein, the third shuntSAW resonator 10-3, the SAW CRF 30, and the three-signal-terminalladder-type SAW device 76 share a common piezoelectric layer (notshown). The three-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device 76 includes thetwo reflective structures 34A and 34B, one first series IDT 38, and onethird shunt IDT 78. Herein, the third shunt SAW resonator 10-3 is stillcoupled between the RX point and ground. The SAW CRF 30 is still coupledbetween the INT point and the RX point, and also coupled to ground. Thefirst series IDT 38 of the three-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device76 is coupled between the ANT point and the INT point, and the thirdshunt IDT 78 of the three-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device 76 iscoupled between the RX point and ground. The first series IDT 38 and thethird shunt IDT 78 are arranged between the two reflective structures34A and 34B.

For the purpose of this illustration, the first electrode 44 of thefirst series IDT 38 is coupled to the ANT point and includes fourelectrode fingers, and the second electrode 46 of the first series IDT38 is coupled to the INT point and includes three electrode fingers. Thethird shunt IDT 78 includes a first electrode 80 coupled to the RX pointwith three electrode fingers, and a second electrode 82 coupled toground with four electrode fingers. Notice that the first electrode 44of the first series IDT 38, the second electrode 46 of the first seriesIDT 38, and the first electrode 80 of the third shunt IDT 78 are thethree signal terminals of the three-signal-terminal ladder-type SAWdevice 76. In different applications, the first and second electrodes 44and 46 of the first series IDT 38 may have fewer or more electrodefingers. The first and second electrodes 80 and 82 of the third shuntIDT 78 may have fewer or more electrode fingers.

FIG. 7 shows a second alternative RX filter 28A2, which combines theconfiguration of the RX filter 28 shown in FIG. 2B and thethree-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device 76. Herein, the first shuntSAW resonator 10-1, the second shunt SAW resonator 10-2, the third shuntSAW resonator 10-3, the series SAW resonator 10-4, the SAW CRF 30, andthe three-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device 76 share a commonpiezoelectric layer (not shown). The first shunt SAW resonator 10-1 andthe second shunt SAW resonator 10-2 are parallel to each other and bothcoupled between the ANT point and ground. The third shunt SAW resonator10-3 is coupled between the RX point and ground. The series SAWresonator 10-4 is coupled between the ANT point and the INT point. TheSAW CRF 30 is coupled between the INT point and the RX point, and alsocoupled to ground. The first series IDT 38 of the three-signal-terminalladder-type SAW device 76 is coupled between the ANT point and the INTpoint. The third shunt IDT 78 of the three-signal-terminal ladder-typeSAW device 76 is coupled between the RX point and ground.

FIGS. 8A-8B show alternative three-signal-terminal ladder-type SAWdevices, each of which may replace the three-signal-terminal ladder-typeSAW device 76 in the RX filter 28A1 or 28A2. A first alternativethree-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device 76A1 includes thereflective structures 34A and 34B, one first shunt IDT 36, one firstseries IDT 38, and one third shunt IDT 78, as illustrated in FIG. 8A.Herein, the first shunt IDT 36 is coupled between the ANT point andground. The first series IDT 38 is coupled between the ANT point and theINT point. The third shunt IDT 78 is coupled between the RX point andground. The first shunt IDT 36 and the third shunt IDT 78 are placed atone side of the first series IDT 38. In one embodiment, the third shuntIDT 78 is placed between the first shunt IDT 36 and the first series IDT38. The first shunt IDT 36, the third shunt IDT 78, and the first seriesIDT 38 are arranged between the two reflective structures 34A and 34B.For the purpose of this illustration, the first electrode 40 of thefirst shunt IDT 36 is coupled to the ANT point and includes fourelectrode fingers, and the second electrode 42 of the first shunt IDT 36is coupled to ground and includes three electrode fingers. The firstelectrode 44 of the first series IDT 38 is coupled to the ANT point andincludes four electrode fingers, and the second electrode 46 of thefirst series IDT 38 is coupled to the INT point and includes threeelectrode fingers. The first electrode 80 of the third shunt IDT 78 iscoupled to the RX point and includes three electrode fingers, and thesecond electrode 82 of the third shunt IDT 78 is coupled to ground andincludes four electrode fingers. In different applications, the firstand second electrodes 40 and 42 of the first shunt IDT 36 may have feweror more electrode fingers. The first and second electrodes 44 and 46 ofthe first series IDT 38 may have fewer or more electrode fingers. Thefirst and second electrodes 80 and 82 of the third shunt IDT 78 may havefewer or more electrode fingers.

A second alternative three-signal-terminal ladder-type SAW device 76A2also includes the reflective structures 34A and 34B, the first shunt IDT36, the first series IDT 38, and the third shunt IDT 78, as illustratedin FIG. 8B. Herein, the first shunt IDT 36 is coupled between the ANTpoint and ground. The first series IDT 38 is coupled between the ANTpoint and the INT point. The third shunt IDT 78 is coupled between theRX point and ground. The first series IDT 38 is placed between the firstshunt IDT 36 and the third shunt IDT 78. The first shunt IDT 36, thethird shunt IDT 78, and the first series IDT 38 are arranged between thetwo reflective structures 34A and 34B. For the purpose of thisillustration, the first electrode 40 of the first shunt IDT 36 iscoupled to the ANT point and includes four electrode fingers, and thesecond electrode 42 of the first shunt IDT 36 is coupled to ground andincludes three electrode fingers. The first electrode 44 of the firstseries IDT 38 is coupled to the ANT point and includes four electrodefingers, and the second electrode 46 of the first series IDT 38 iscoupled to the INT point and includes three electrode fingers. The firstelectrode 80 of the third shunt IDT 78 is coupled to the RX point andincludes three electrode fingers, and the second electrode 82 of thethird shunt IDT 78 is coupled to ground and includes four electrodefingers. In different applications, the first and second electrodes 40and 42 of the first shunt IDT 36 may have fewer or more electrodefingers. The first and second electrodes 44 and 46 of the first seriesIDT 38 may have fewer or more electrode fingers. The first and secondelectrodes 80 and 82 of the third shunt IDT 78 may have fewer or moreelectrode fingers.

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) circuitry comprising:a first SAW device comprising two first reflective structures, at leastone first series interdigital transducer (IDT), and at least one firstshunt IDT; and a second SAW device comprising two second reflectivestructures, at least one second series IDT, and at least one secondshunt IDT, wherein: the first SAW device and the second SAW device areconnected at a common point and coupled in series between a first signalpoint and a second signal point; the first SAW device and the second SAWdevice share a common piezoelectric layer; the first reflectivestructures, the at least one first series IDT, the at least one firstshunt IDT, the second reflective structures, the at least one secondseries IDT, and the at least one second shunt IDT reside over thepiezoelectric layer; the at least one first series IDT and the at leastone first shunt IDT are arranged between the two first reflectivestructures; the at least one second series IDT and the at least onesecond shunt IDT are arranged between the two second reflectivestructures; the at least one first series IDT is coupled between thefirst signal point and the common point, and the at least one secondseries IDT is coupled between the common point and the second signalpoint; and the at least one first shunt IDT is coupled between a thirdsignal point and ground, and the at least one second shunt IDT iscoupled between a fourth signal point and the ground, wherein: at leastthe third signal point is connected to the first signal point or thefourth signal point is connected to the second signal point; and thefirst signal point, the second signal point, and the common signal pointare not directly electrically connected.
 2. The SAW circuitry of claim 1wherein: the third signal point is connected to the first signal point;and the fourth signal point is connected to the second signal point. 3.The SAW circuitry of claim 1 wherein: the third signal point isconnected to the common signal point; and the fourth signal point isconnected to the second signal point.
 4. The SAW circuitry of claim 1further comprising at least one coupled resonator filter (CRF), whichincludes two third reflective structures, and a plurality of CRF IDTs,wherein: the first SAW device, the second SAW device, and the at leastone CRF share the common piezoelectric layer; the plurality of CRF IDTsis arranged between the two third reflective structures; at least one ofthe plurality of CRF IDTs is coupled between the first signal point andthe ground; and at least one of the plurality of CRF IDTs is coupledbetween a fifth signal point and the ground, wherein the fifth signalpoint is not directly connected to the first signal point, the secondsignal point, the common signal point, the third signal point or thefourth signal point.
 5. The SAW circuitry of claim 1 wherein: the atleast one first shunt IDT comprises two first shunt IDTs, wherein the atleast one first series IDT is arranged between the two first shunt IDTs;and the at least one second shunt IDT comprises two second shunt IDTs,wherein the at least one second series IDT is arranged between the twosecond shunt IDTs.
 6. The SAW circuitry of claim 5 wherein: each firstseries IDT comprises a plurality of first electrode fingers coupled tothe first signal point and a plurality of second electrode fingerscoupled to the common signal point; each first shunt IDT comprises aplurality of first electrode fingers coupled to the third signal point,and a plurality of second electrode fingers coupled to the ground; eachsecond series IDT comprises a plurality of first electrode fingerscoupled to the second signal point and a plurality of second electrodefingers coupled to the common signal point; and each second shunt IDTcomprises a plurality of first electrode fingers coupled to the fourthsignal point, and a plurality of second electrode fingers coupled to theground.
 7. The SAW circuitry of claim 6 wherein a number of theplurality of first electrode fingers of one first series IDT is the sameas a number of the plurality of second electrode fingers of such firstseries IDT.
 8. The SAW circuitry of claim 6 wherein a number of theplurality of first electrode fingers of one first series IDT isdifferent from a number of the plurality of second electrode fingers ofsuch first series IDT.
 9. The SAW circuitry of claim 6 wherein a numberof the plurality of first electrode fingers of one second series IDT isthe same as a number of the plurality of second electrode fingers ofsuch second series IDT.
 10. The SAW circuitry of claim 6 wherein anumber of the plurality of first electrode fingers of one second seriesIDT is different from a number of the plurality of second electrodefingers of such second series IDT.
 11. The SAW circuitry of claim 6wherein a number of the plurality of first electrode fingers of onefirst shunt IDT is the same as a number of the plurality of secondelectrode fingers of such first shunt IDT.
 12. The SAW circuitry ofclaim 6 wherein a number of the plurality of first electrode fingers ofone first shunt IDT is different from a number of the plurality ofsecond electrode fingers of such first shunt IDT.
 13. The SAW circuitryof claim 6 wherein a number of the plurality of first electrode fingersof one second shunt IDT is the same as a number of the plurality ofsecond electrode fingers of such second shunt IDT.
 14. The SAW circuitryof claim 6 wherein a number of the plurality of first electrode fingersof one second shunt IDT is different from a number of the plurality ofsecond electrode fingers of such second shunt IDT.
 15. The SAW circuitryof claim 6 wherein a number of the plurality of first electrode fingersand the plurality of second electrode fingers of each first series IDTis the same as a number of the plurality of first electrode fingers andthe plurality of second electrode fingers of each first shunt IDT. 16.The SAW circuitry of claim 6 wherein a number of the plurality of firstelectrode fingers and the plurality of second electrode fingers of eachfirst series IDT is different from a number of the plurality of firstelectrode fingers and the plurality of second electrode fingers of eachfirst shunt IDT.
 17. The SAW circuitry of claim 6 wherein a number ofthe plurality of first electrode fingers and the plurality of secondelectrode fingers of each second series IDT is the same as a number ofthe plurality of first electrode fingers and the plurality of secondelectrode fingers of each second shunt IDT.
 18. The SAW circuitry ofclaim 6 wherein a number of the plurality of first electrode fingers andthe plurality of second electrode fingers of each second series IDT isdifferent from a number of the plurality of first electrode fingers andthe plurality of second electrode fingers of each second shunt IDT. 19.The SAW circuitry of claim 1 further comprising a first coupledresonator filter (CRF) and a second CRF, wherein: the first CRF includestwo third reflective structures and a plurality of first CRF IDTs, andthe second CRF includes two fourth reflective structures and a pluralityof second CRF IDTs; the first SAW device, the second SAW device, thefirst CRF, and the second CRF share the common piezoelectric layer; theplurality of first CRF IDTs is arranged between the two third reflectivestructures, and the plurality of second CRF IDTs is arranged between thetwo fourth reflective structures; at least one of the plurality of firstCRF IDTs is coupled between the first signal point and the ground, andat least one of the plurality of first CRF IDTs is coupled between afifth signal point and the ground; and at least one of the plurality ofsecond CRF IDTs is coupled between the second signal point and theground, and at least one of the plurality of second CRF IDTs is coupledbetween a sixth signal point and the ground, wherein the fifth signalpoint is not directly connected to the first signal point, the secondsignal point, the common signal point, the third signal point, or thefourth signal point, and the sixth signal point is not directlyconnected to the first signal point, the second signal point, the commonsignal point, the third signal point, the fourth signal point, or thefifth signal point.